Boat loading device



IN V EN TOR.

Jerry N. M Millan J. N. M MILLAN BOAT LOADING DEVICE Flled July 3 1951 Dec. 22, 1953 Patented Dec. 22, 1953 UNITED STATEg BOAT LOADING nnvron Jerry N. McMillan, Colville, Wash. Application July 3, 1951, Serial Nb. 235,055

1 Claim.

My present invention relates to boat loading devices and has particular reference to a device to aid one when loading a boat on to or removin the same from the top of an automobile.

One object of the invention lies in the provision of a device whereby a relatively light weight boat, such as a row boat, may be easily placed upon the top of a motor vehicle by one person without marring the vehicles exterior finish and also with a minimum amount of effort.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a boat loading device which provides guide means for centrally positioning a boat transversely centered upon a motor vehicle to preclude uneven distribution of weight on the vehicle body.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a boat loading device comprising a channel mounted longitudinally on the top of a motor vehicle and which has separable sections which include a removable loading ramp section and a supporting guide section.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a boat loading device Which includes a skid or runner secured to the beak of a boat on the top side and adapted to slide in a channel extending longitudinally on the top of a motor vehicle when the boat is inverted for loading there- Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a boat loading device which is adapted to be removably secured upon a motor vehicle and supported by rubber suction cup to preclude damage to the finish.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a boat loading device which is inexpensive to manufacture, uses a minimum amount of material and which is light and stron and yet very effective as a device for loading and unloading boats.

These and other objects will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved boat loadin device showing it applied to the top and back of an automobile indicated in profile, and a boat mounted thereon by dotted lines,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the forward end of the invention,

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the means for releasably securing the sections of the device together,

, brackets 1, rubber suction cups H! are secured Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross section through a portion of the channel and its supporting bar, and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the runner adapted to be secured to a boat and for sliding in the channel of the boat loading device.

The usual method of transporting a boat on a motor vehicle necessitates some form of support frame to carry the boat and preclude its rubbing or scratching the finish of thevehicle. A comman and relatively inexpensive type consists of transversely extending, longitudinally spaced, cross bars 6 which are supported adjacent each end upon brackets l and secured thereto by means of bolts 8 and nuts 9. On the ends of the and provided to rest upon the top of an automobile as shown in profile by line II of Figure 1. Straps (not shown) are provided to secure the bars at their ends to the vehicle and include means, such as clamps, to secure to the rain runoff trough or door frame and suitably mount the carrier frame.

To load a boat upon this type carrier, when two or three men are available, the boat is turned top side down, lifted horizontally and placed upon the cross bars. Straps (not shown) are then passed over th upwardly disposed bottom of the boat and secured atthe ends of the respective cross bars thus mounting the boat against shiftin movement for transportation upon the vehicle.

This has been found to be a very desirable boat carrying support, but very often, one is alone when it is desired to load or unload the boat, and because of its position above the automobile, it is impossible for one man to lift it horizontally disposed for unloading and likewise because of its large size and weight one cannot lift it from the ground and place it upon the supporting frame while maintaining it in a horizontal position. Attempts at loading a boat by one man upon this type carrier have caused many scratched and dented automobiles, as Well as broken boats from dropping.

My invention is very effective in overcoming this difilculty and enables one person to load a boat with very little effort and eliminates the danger of marring an automobile. The improved boat loading device comprises a longitudinally extendin channel l2 having a substantial open S-shaped ramp section l3 and a horizontally disposed supporting guide section It. The guide section I4 is positioned at the transverse center of the automobile top and extends longitudinally thereof.

Transversely extending longitudinally spaced cross bars 6 support the section l4, and secure the section thereto by means of a short bolt I which passes downwardly through tapered hole I6 in the bottom I4 of the section and through the cross bar 6 where the section and cross bar meet. Nuts I5 are mounted under the cross bars 6 and secure the parts together. The bolts I5 are countersunk T to provide a-smOOth unobstructed upper surface along the bottom I4 the full length of the section. outwardly disposed lips I4" are provided on the section I4 for additional strength and rigidity.

Adjacent the rear end of section 1-4, I :have formed a transversely extending slot IIin the bottom I4 and this is provided- 1:0 :receive down Wardly bent lip I8 formed by cutting a central portion of the bottom I3f of ramp section'l3 at its forward end. The ramp is formed of similar channel shaped materiaI as the section-I i and also has'oiitwardly disposed lips 13" for strength.

To conform to "the rear profileof most-automobiles, the ramp is formed substantially as an open S,=an'd has-a rubber suction cup IQ secured to the bottom 13' :adjacen't th "lean end by a countersunk bolt similar' to bo'lt IE5. When lip I8 :is engaged in slotfl and the suction cup '19 is supported -'on the ba'ck :of the auto as at "23, the boatleading device -is ready for use.

To "use my invention, it is =n'eoessary that a boat-B, and I ha've found thma run'ner is more acceptable since it may also bensed "as a means for securing an anchor or dockwope. My run-- ner 21 is provided-with "a forward loop "2-2 having a flat bctto'm bar 23':.and-a subStantia'll-y'Eteardrop sh'ap'ed upper bar 24 form'ing --a-"loo;:- when viewedin side elevation. The -upper bar extends rearwardly a distance 'and term-inates at its end the boat, the loop 24 is placed in the rear end of section I3 and the rear of the boat is lifted and pushed forwardly with the runner passing up the ramp and onto the supporting frame. The rear end is lifted to prevent the gunwales from scratching the automobile top during both loading and unloading operations.

Since ramp section I3 is secured at the forward end only by lip is bein eneaeedin slot I! of section [4, and with its rear end supported upon awrubber suction cup, it may be easily removed, and placed in the trunk of the car for storage when not in use. It is therefore easily assembled-or disassembled and not in the way when not in use.

The bo'at loading device is of such light and small construction, that it may be left mounted upon an automobile and need not be removed in seasons when the boat will not be used.

"Having thus described-my invention, what I claim anddes'ire'to secure by"'Letters Patent is:

A boat loading "device for boats of a length wherein the "bow extends beyond the forward edge of the vehicle top comprising in combination a longitudinally extending slide supported on the 'top midway its transverse dimension, a runner adapted to cooperate with said slide and securedto the beak of the boat carried by said vehicle, a rearwardly'extending bar forming a part of the runner and movable in said slide, and an'eye-o'n the-rear end-of said bar and forming-an'areuate rear endthereen, said bar being of sufficient length to insure a portion *of the with ia downwa-rdiy positioned -eye ot ring 25.

loosed, and-Lathe boat 'is pulied rearwardly with.

the runn'er isliding in sectic'ns I 4 arid, I3 and when L theirunner reaches a po'int near the -rear end of section I3 the rear endf the' boat is placed upon ithesground andthe front end-may then sbe lifted-sfrnm- 'theiloading device. -Toload References :Gited in 4 the Afile of this patent UN E T ES-PATEN Number Name .Date

1,180,253 cans n a ng-1e, 916 5 2,2 7,128 L v y T-. une 1941 21%71'7 Bjork .Feb. 26 1 945 Wig-2.162 Lindblom :Dec. 3 49.46 2,459,987 :Pilsner May 10 1949 1,59 ,4 8 =Semers I M yZ FOREIGN PATENTS umber Country a ranc .ahxnlv re 1941 

